T5 Questions

garzaci · 12/10/2009, 10:06 PM

I just ordered a fixture for my 20 gal. With a dept of 16 1/2 inches will I be able to keep sps under 4-24 watt bulbs? Its a little short of 5 watts a gallon. I know that's an unreliable way to tell, but I don't have a par meter.

nikon187 · 12/10/2009, 10:57 PM

which fixture? All T5 are not made equal. If the fixture has individual reflectors for each bulb and good quality bulbs are used i think you would be fine with SPS in that tank. Lighting is only a part of keeping SPS though, water flow, low nutrients and stability are just as important.

garzaci · 12/10/2009, 11:27 PM

Thanks for the reply Nikon. Here is a link to the lights I ordered. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=21460. They should be here tomorrow some time. I feel like a kid waiting for christmas morning. Anyways ill stop rambling. How do I know if I have enough water flow? Right now I have the return from a Rena XP2 (canister filter) and a koralia nano.

12/10/2009, 10:06 PM	#1
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	T5 Questions I just ordered a fixture for my 20 gal. With a dept of 16 1/2 inches will I be able to keep sps under 4-24 watt bulbs? Its a little short of 5 watts a gallon. I know that's an unreliable way to tell, but I don't have a par meter.

12/10/2009, 10:57 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	which fixture? All T5 are not made equal. If the fixture has individual reflectors for each bulb and good quality bulbs are used i think you would be fine with SPS in that tank. Lighting is only a part of keeping SPS though, water flow, low nutrients and stability are just as important. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

12/10/2009, 11:27 PM	#3
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	Thanks for the reply Nikon. Here is a link to the lights I ordered. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=21460. They should be here tomorrow some time. I feel like a kid waiting for christmas morning. Anyways ill stop rambling. How do I know if I have enough water flow? Right now I have the return from a Rena XP2 (canister filter) and a koralia nano.